HUDDERSFIELD Giants rugby league club were today rocked by the shock revelation that their coach is to quit at the end of the season.

Tony Smith has breathed new life into the Giants and the decision will stun supporters.

The ambitious Australian coach says the decision is down to his budget for new signings.

The Rugby League's salary cap rules limit spending on players' wages to half a club's relevant income, up to a maximum of £1.8m.

That means the Giants cannot provide the cash that 36-year-old Smith believes is needed to continue the progress made during this season's Super League campaign.

Even though he has been linked with Wigan and a number of clubs in his native country - most prominently Cronulla Sharks - Smith says he does not have a new job lined up.

But the fact that he is to leave Huddersfield will be bad news for the fans, who have been thrilled by victories over big clubs St Helens, Wigan and Leeds this season.

And yesterday they watched the Giants maintain their top six play-off hopes by taking another notable scalp, that of Hull, who were beaten 30-14.

Smith, appointed in August, 2000, said today: "Of course I've got mixed feelings about moving on, but sometimes you just think the time is right.

"I've had good times and some not so good times here. But I've always had a great relationship and rapport with all my players and staff, the directors and the fans.

"Once I'd made my mind up, I was keen for it to be known, as I've always been upfront and honest in all my dealings, as have Huddersfield Giants.

"The club, like others, is under huge restraints in terms of the salary cap that they are working under, and I just felt I'd like a crack at working at a higher level.

"I've no doubt Huddersfield will continue to grow and prosper. The staff and group of players that I'll be leaving are very special and I hope they respect my decision.

"Now I want to get on with planning for the remainder of this season, and I can assure everyone that I will be giving it 100%."

Giants chief executive Ralph Rimmer said: "Tony Smith has held talks with the club over the last few weeks during which he had sought a significant rise in the playing budget for season 2004.

"He aspires to a much larger playing budget than our salary cap will provide for.

"He feels that given a resource of that size, he could have a significant impact at the very top of this competition and I personally have very little doubt that a coach of his ability would win silverware in that situation.

"Huddersfield Giants continue to grow and develop at a good rate, but for next season we will not be in a position to provide Tony with the level of resources he seeks, even with the substantial backing of our chairman (Ken Davy).

"Like all Super League clubs, we must comply with the salary cap regulations and can only develop our playing budget at the rate at which the business grows."

Smith, who played for top Australian clubs Illawarra and St George before a spell in Super League with Workington, was little known in Britain when he was appointed by the Giants after flying over at immdiate notice for an interview.

It was his first job as head coach, although he had learned the ropes alongside brother Brian, the former Hull and Bradford chief, at Sydney-based Parramatta.

He was unable to avoid relegation from Super League in 2001, his first full season at the helm, despite a marked improvement in results over the second half of the season.

But that disappointment was forgotten when the club swept back to the top flight by going through the 2001-02 Northern Ford Premiership campaign unbeaten and winning the Grand Final against Leigh.

Smith, not surprisingly, won the NFP Coach of the Year award, and has continued to brighten his reputation this season, with Huddersfield for once avoiding a dogfight at the foot of the table.